San Angelo State Park encompasses over 7,500 acres surrounding O.C. Fisher Lake in west Texas. The park sits at an elevation of approximately 1,900 feet and experiences dramatic seasonal temperature variations. Winter overnight temperatures can drop below freezing while summer days regularly exceed 100°F, creating distinct camping conditions throughout the year.
What to do
Wildlife viewing: San Angelo State Park houses a herd of American bison and Texas longhorn cattle that roam freely through designated areas. "It's a beautiful place. Great views. Bison, long horn and tons of deer," notes Bruce from Red Arroyo Campground. Wildlife viewing opportunities are most productive during early morning and evening hours.
Trail exploration: The park contains over 50 miles of multi-use trails that connect various camping areas. "If you cross the dry creek bed into the horse campground you can access the extensive network of hiking, biking, and horse riding trails. The trails are well marked," reports Laura F. from Bald Eagle Creek. Trails range from easy 1-mile loops to challenging 12-mile routes.
Boating and fishing: O.C. Fisher Lake permits non-motorized and motorized boats when water levels allow. Fishing for bass, catfish, and crappie requires a valid Texas fishing license. The Cabin Area provides boat-in access points for anglers and water enthusiasts.
What campers like
Spaciousness: Campsites throughout the park offer considerable distance between neighbors. "The sites in the Bald Eagle loop are spacious, many have covered picnic tables, a few trees, and there is a playground," explains a camper who stayed during Thanksgiving when the campground was less than half full.
Tranquility: The equestrian campground area offers a particularly quiet experience. As Darrin R. describes his winter stay, "This is the north part of San Angelo State Park. I camped here the last weekend of January... Quiet, comfortable and rarely crowded." Most horse campgrounds near O.C. Fisher Lake maintain this peaceful atmosphere even during peak seasons.
Weather variety: The park's climate offers comfortable camping during certain seasons. "Other than being quite windy during the day, the weather was gorgeous. Chilly at night with temperatures in the thirties but the days were sixties and seventies and sunny," notes a January visitor to North Concho Equestrian Sites.
What you should know
Gate access: Security measures require campers to manually operate entrance gates. "The only downside is that to drive into the campground you have to get out and remove a pad lock and manually open the gate," explains a visitor to the Bald Eagle area. This process applies to most camping sections including the horse campgrounds.
Bathroom locations: Facilities may require driving from some campsites. "Bathrooms are at 1 end of sites. I was driving distance," reports a camper during a 20-degree cold snap. Winter campers should prepare for this inconvenience.
Maintenance varies: Some sections show wear over time. A visitor notes, "This place suffers from long term neglect. Peeling paint, broken trim." However, most essential facilities remain functional year-round.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Families with children benefit from dedicated play areas. "The sites in the Bald Eagle loop are spacious, many have covered picnic tables, a few trees, and there is a playground," notes a Thanksgiving visitor, making this loop particularly suitable for families with young children.
Signage challenges: Parents should prepare children for navigation. "Signs directing you to the campsites were minimal (ex: instead of 'red arroyo campsites 1-11' it said 'trailer 1-11'," explains tracie from Red Arroyo. Bringing a park map helps families locate facilities and trails more easily.
Weather preparation: Family camping requires seasonal planning. A winter camper notes, "It was cold, 20 degrees." Parents should pack appropriate layers as temperatures fluctuate significantly between day and night, especially during spring and fall.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: RVers report varying experiences with hookup access. "Very clear instructions on the voicemail for after hours check in... it was a well maintained state park, clean bathrooms, flat sites, easy hook ups," reports a visitor to Red Arroyo Campground.
Testing equipment: The park serves well for equipment trials. "I didn't get to do much exploring because I went to San Angelo to pick up something on Monday morning and thought I would use this trip to test out some gear," explains an RVer who found the parking sites "great for either a tent or small RV."
Rooftop tent options: The flat camping pads accommodate alternative setups. A camper notes, "This was ideal for my setup which is a rooftop tent on my SUV." These sites provide stable, level surfaces for various camping configurations beyond traditional RVs.
